With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.” (This beautiful hymn was written by: Martin Rinkart (1586-1649) for his children.)

I believe Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect. Reflect upon the blessings God has bestowed upon our lives. Every year we can look back on gut-wrenching trials and hardships. But, if we look at the overarching theme of our lives, we see God’s sustaining grace.

As a teenager and young adult, I was headed for destruction. FAST. However, life seemed to come to a screeching halt when I learned my mother had terminal cancer and was given six months to live. Her death brought me to new life. “From my mother’s arms, he indeed blessed me on my way, with countless gifts of love, and still is mine today.”

I contemplate what “wondrous things He has done” and I indeed rejoice.

“Now thank we all our God” for my salvation.

“Now thank we all our God” for a godly husband.

“Now thank we all our God” for four beautiful children.

Yes, I wish my mother was on this earth to see “the countless gifts of love”: Yet I rejoice that we will all spend eternity together.

What does Thanksgiving mean to you: turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, football? I LOVE all those things! But I encourage your family to pause and reflect.

Take the time to count your blessings. “Lift your hearts, hands, and voices.”